Suspected Murder/Suicide in Albion

On 08-01-2015 at 10:57 AM, Deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a welfare check at a residence located in the 32000 block of Navarro Ridge Road in Albion, California.

At the location, a neighbor concerned for the two residents tried to contact them and was unable to do so. The neighbor peered through windows and observed what they believed to be the two residents deceased.

Deputies arrived and gained entry into the residence due to the circumstances of the situation.

A 77-year-old white female adult was found to be deceased and an 80-year-old white male adult was found to be suffering from life threatening injuries.

The 80-year-old white male adult was treated by medical personnel and subsequently transported by air ambulance to an out of county hospital.

Sheriff’s Detectives from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Services Bureau responded and assumed control of the investigation of the incident.

The name of the 77-year-old white female adult is being withheld pending contact with her legal the next of kin.

On 08-02-2015 the 80-year-old white male adult died as a resulted of his injuries and his name is being withheld pending contact with his legal next of kin.

Sheriff’s Detectives are continuing investigations but initial evidence at the scene suggests this incident was a murder suicide.

UPDATE 8/4: Press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:

On 08-04-2015 the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Division released the identities of the persons involved in this incident.

They were identified as being Valerie Ann Morales and Martin Charles Morales, a married couple who resided together in Albion.

Preliminary autopsy findings showed both died as the result of a gunshot wound.

Sheriff’s Detectives are continuing investigations into the incident which is still believed to be a murder suicide.

Maybe “old people” do this because as a society we do not honor their wisdom and we put them in “retirement homes” stripping them of any and all dignity with no hope of anything better. We should talk to our seniors and ask them what we can do to help them remain vital members of our society. Just a thought. That old person you talk to may be me someday. Alone at age 55, as a woman is a scary place to be.

Sometimes it’s a,nothing left feeling.or hopelessness.we have been there it’s sad.days I feel like what next.im so sorry to their family’s God bless .such a bad time we live in.i wonder what we are leaving to our children